Christmas comes early for La Quinta girl battling cancer
Santa traded in his sleigh for a fire engine, and with an army of elves dressed like firefighters and sheriff’s deputies, had the the Sherman family home in La Quinta surrounded, bringing smiles and hugs to Riley Rose, 5, and her family.
“Riley has neuroblastoma,” explains Corky Bell, of the Debbie Chisholm Memorial Foundation. “It’s a really tough cancer. But she’s a little trooper. She’s going to beat it.” “It’s been 82 days in the hospital since August,” says Kristin Sherman, Riley’s mother. “And grueling on our family, and everything, so it’s been a lot. And these kind of moments, as you can see, make her day.” The kindness is paid forward through the Debbie Chisholm Memorial Foundation, named for a sheriff’s deputy’s 12-year-old daughter who died of brain cancer. Bell says it is Southern California’s only law enforcement based wish-granting charity, and that it has given more than 3,000 gifts to hospitalized children, granted 407 children wishes, and even given mini-vacations to abused children. “These kids need a little happiness in their lives. They go through some terribly painful treatments, and so when you have a small window when they’re feeling good, you really want to make them feel better,” says Bell. Riley’s wish on Tuesday, was an American Girl doll with no hair, just like her, and green eyes, just like her. “I’m amazed,” exclaims Kristin Sherman. “I’m just amazed that people would give their time and their talents and their treasures to my family, to my daughter to make her day, to make her world. Thank you from the bottom of my heart, thank you.” “There’s nothing better than seeing a sick child smile. So when you bring the whole entourage of police and fire, plus Santa himself, making an early visit for her? How special is that?” asks Bell. Brenda Johnson of the Rancho Mirage Women’s Club came to the Shermans to watch Riley open gifts. She said in the last decade the group has given about $500,000 to needy organizations, including the Debbie Chisholm Foundation. “It’s one thing to give money through an organization, but when you actually go to an event and you see the faces of the children, and smiles, or you see a recipient stand there, and thank you for the scholarship for continuing education, that’s what we’re all about, and that’s what makes is so worthwhile, especially this time of year,” says Johnson.
Learn more about the Debbie Chisholm Memorial Foundation. Or call Corky Bell at (760) 365-6889
Help the Sherman family pay for medical expenses, lodging and transportation.
Contribute to other causes sponsored by the Rancho Mirage Women’s Club.
